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Friday, February 28, 2014

President Obama's statement on Ukraine

The White House on Friday released President Obama's statement on Ukraine

It is shared unedited here:

5:05 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody.

Over the last several days, the United States
has been responding to events as they unfold in Ukraine. Throughout
this crisis, we have been very clear about one fundamental principle:
The Ukrainian people deserve the opportunity to
determine their own future. Together with our European allies, we have
urged an end to the violence and encouraged Ukrainians to pursue a
course in which they stabilize their country, forge a broad-based
government and move to elections this spring.

I also spoke several days ago with President
Putin, and my administration has been in daily communication with
Russian officials, and we've made clear that they can be part of an
international community’s effort to support the stability
and success of a united Ukraine going forward, which is not only in the
interest of The people of Ukraine and the international community, but
also in Russia’s interest.

However, we are now deeply concerned by
reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of
Ukraine. Russia has a historic relationship with Ukraine, including
cultural and economic ties, and a military facility
in Crimea, but any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of
Ukraine, Russia, or Europe.

It would represent a
profound interference in matters that must be determined by the
Ukrainian people. It would be a clear violence of Russia’s commitment
to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders
of Ukraine, and of international laws. And just days after the world
came to Russia for the Olympic Games, it would invite the condemnation
of nations around the world. And indeed, the United States will stand
with the international community in affirming
that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.

The events of the past several months remind
us of how difficult democracy can be in a country with deep divisions.
But the Ukrainian people have also reminded us that human beings have a
universal right to determine their own future.

Right now, the situation remains very fluid.
Vice President Biden just spoke with Prime Minister -- the Prime
Minister of Ukraine to assure him that in this difficult moment the
United States supports his government’s efforts and
stands for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic future
of Ukraine. I also commend the Ukrainian government’s restraint and
its commitment to uphold its international obligations.

We will continue to coordinate closely with
our European allies. We will continue to communicate directly with the
Russian government. And we will continue to keep all of you in the
press corps and the American people informed as
events develop.

Read redacted report on death of former Yale prof Sam See

Former Yale professor Sam See died in November the New Haven lock up run by the state Judicial Branch Marshals. Here is a redacted copy of a report on the investigation in See's death. The state medical examiner ruled he died as a result of " acute methamphetamine and amphetamine intoxication."

Poverty in New Haven by the numbers

Learn more about poverty and income disparities in New Haven through these maps. Read more here and photos here. (Maps created by Connecticut Magazine writer Jennifer Swift. Follow her on Twitter @byjenniferswift)

New Haven Poverty 1999 and 2012
New Haven Family Income 1999 and 2012
New Haven Household Income 1999 and 2012
Embed:

WEST HAVEN — U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 24-11 is offering a one-day "About
Boating Safely" class on Saturday, March 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 -p.m. March 8. "In a classroom format, attendees will learn general
information about boats and maintenance, navigation rules and aids to
navigation, what to do in case of boating emergencies and Connecticut-specific law
and regulations," organizers said in a release. "Individuals who successfully complete this
course will qualify for both the Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate and the
Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation."The course fee is $60.The classes will be held at the USCG Auxiliary West Haven Flotilla
facility, 1 Kimberly Avenue, West Haven.For more information or to register, contact either Charlie
Phippen at (860) 828-5438 or David Wendelowski at (203) 932-2651. Information and on-line registration also is available at
http://a0142411.uscgaux.info/educ.html. A free State of CT Conservation ID
Number must be obtained before the class by registering at
ct.outdoorcentral.net.

Watch roundtable discussion in New Haven on Jordan Davis verdict

Register Community Engagement Editor Shahid Abdul-Karim, New Haven attorney Michael Jefferson, Community Action Agency CEO and President Amos Smith, Greater New Haven Branch NAACP Legal Redress Committee Chairman Caleb Pilgrim, who is an attorney; and the Rev. William Mathis, program manager for the city’s Project Longevity and a former assistant state’s attorney in Baltimore, participated in a live roundtable conversation regarding the verdict in the death of Jordan Davis, 17.

New Haven snow storm and parking update

There was a release today from the city of New Haven Everbridge emergency notification service on parking and snow removal issues:

This is shared unedited here:

"Please ensure that your car is parked on the even side of the street
during this current snow fall. Mayor Toni Harp has declared a snow
emergency for snow removal purposes and is asking for your assistance
during this week long parking ban and emergency condition. The
Department of Public Works will be in all neighborhoods today and if
your want your street to be better plowed, please move your car. Please
pass this along to your neighbors. We appreciate your assistance. Thank
you."

ORANGE - The Orange Historical Society will hold a session on how to hand make "a basket reminiscent of colonial days" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30 at the historic 1740 Nathan Bryan-William Andrew House, 131 Old Tavern Road, organizers said.
"Noted basket makers , Ray and Caryl DeFrancesco of H.H. Perkins will tell about the history of basketry and each visitor will be given supplies to make a splint marketing basket," organizers said in a release.
"This unique opportunity for a tour of the oldest house in Orange and a chance to relive an age-old craft," costs $35 per person.
Make checks payable to OHS and send to PO Box 784, Orange, 06477. Space is limited to 18 guests. For information call 203-795-3106.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. Click one of the buttons below to share it.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Statement on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Statement from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force on National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day:"As we mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
2014, we must redouble our efforts to―as this year's theme and action
suggests―be our brother's and sister's keeper and get educated, get
tested, get involved and get treated. We must reverse the alarming rates
of infection currently found in LGBT communities of color and advance―on
every level―an all out fight against HIV/AIDS. If everyone gets back in
the fight, we can
win this battle. We can end HIV/AIDS."

Statement attributed to: Rev Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force The Creating Change Conference 2014 held a special and plenary on
HIV/AIDS entitled “Why We Can't Wait: Let's End AIDS Now,” according to a release.Watch it here:

Expedition New England's Scott Tucker is going kayaking

Scott Tucker of the series "Expedition New England" will hold "a very unusual fund raising event" beginning at 7:30 a.m. March 8, he said.
Tucker will "embark on a solo kayak mission" to Falkner's Island / Goose Island to document a "magnificent colony" of Harbor seals overwintering here from the Gulf of Maine, he said in a release.

"But there is a twist- unlike most fund raisers that just end when they end Scott won't return until wife Ava gives him the confirmation call that they have raised $25,000," the "the minimum funding needed to produce Expedition New England for the 2014 season," the release said.
Visit www.eepinc.org to make a pledge to support Tucker's Expedition New England for another year.

National Black AIDS Awareness Day is Friday in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - National Black AIDS
Awareness Day is returning to the city, with the support of the New Haven Mayor's Task Force on
AIDS, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday (2/7) at the Ives Branch of the New Haven Public Library at 133 Elm St., organizers said in a release

Free HIV Testing will take place from
inside the Library's Community Room, and outside the Library on
the Green in the Community Health Care van, the release said.

There also will
be opportunities for community members to enroll/register for the
Affordable Care Act, the release said.